Non-toxic aqueous pesticide

ABSTRACT

A non-toxic aqueous pesticide and method for application on plants and animals comprising at least one surfactant and at least one high terpene containing natural oil to effectively control insects and parasites such as darkling beetles, lice, ticks, mites, flies, aphides, mosquitoes and chiggers.

CROSS REFERENCE

[0001] This is a configuration-in-part application of a co-pendingapplication Ser. NO. 09/282,963 filed Mar. 31, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A non-toxic aqueous pesticide to effectively control insects andparasites such as darkling beetles, lice, ticks, mites, flies, aphides,mosquitoes and chiggers.

[0003] Field of the Invention

[0004] Various parasites such as lice, ticks, mites, aphides andchiggers attack untreated and unprotected animals and plants. Poultryare particularly susceptible to parasitic infestations, both internaland external. If left uncontrolled, poultry diseases and parasites canresult in reduced productivity and high mortality rates. Thus, effectivemanagement and sanitation practices, vaccination and medication areessential to prevent and control diseases and pests.

[0005] Where poultry is involved, the larvae of these pests attach tothe wings and parts of the body injecting a poisonous substance thatirritates the skin and causes itching. Such infestation is manifest inlesions observable when birds are dressed. This, of course, reduces thevalue of the poultry. Moreover, the young birds become droopy, refuse toeat and can die.

[0006] In the past, various oils have been used to control insects andmites. Recently, however, renewed attention has focused on the use ofoils as a natural substitute for traditional insecticides with attendanttoxic and other dangerous side effects.

[0007] These oils include horticultural oils which are highly refinedpetroleum products than can be mixed with water for application forcontrol of target insect and mite pests without deleterious effects.Modern horticultural oils do not include vegetable, fish or whale oils.

[0008] Horticultural spray oils are the low toxicity alternative tobroad spectrum insecticides. Since the mechanism of insect and mitecontrol with spray oils is by suffocation and/or repellency of egglaying females, there is no requirement for the addition of toxicchemicals. These properties are a valuable and well recognized componentof the practice of integrated pest management where oil spraying isintrinsically linked to natural control of pests by predators andparasitoids. Horticultural spray oils are formulated on highly refinedclear oil with a minimum of nonionic surfactant. Independentenvironmental impact studies have shown that D-C-TRON has no detrimentaleffect on the environment. Mammalian toxicity studies published in theAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine have shown that oils at thisrefinement level are non-toxic and non-carcinogenic.

[0009] Aqueous suspensions of malathion, stirofos, Ravap and carbarylformulations (0.25 to 1.0 percent) have been tested as dips for controlof the northern foul mite (NFM), Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini andFanzago) on caged White Leghorn hens. Hens treated with Ravap showedsymptoms of organophosphorus insecticide poisoning soon after treatmentand some died as a result of the dip. However, dipping with the otherinsecticides did not result in any apparent toxic effects. Malathion wasobserved to provide residual control of mites for about 4 weekspost-treatment, but both stirofos and carbaryl dips gave completecontrol for at least 6 weeks against repeated challenges with the NFM.There were no significant differences in the percent hen-day eggproduction, feed consumption, or body weight of the hens that could beattributed to any of the chemical treatments.

[0010] Generally, oil sprays are safe to humans. These oil sprays havelittle, if any, negative effect on wildlife and non-target insects inthe environment. Furthermore, oil sprays are less toxic due to themethod by which they kill target pests. In particular, the thin film ofoil covers the target insect or mite and plugs the spiracles or poresthrough which the pests or parasites breathe. The cause of death isprimarily suffocation. Large, motile insects and animals that breathe byanother method are not affected by these oils.

[0011] Another advantage of oil applications is the absence ofobjectionable odors. In addition, oils are relatively inexpensive andsignificantly less expensive than many insecticides.

[0012] Unfortunately, there are limitations to the use of oiltreatments. For example, oils are only effective against those peststhat are thoroughly coated by the spray solution. This usually meansthat only small, immobile or slow moving pests that are exposed on thesurface of the poultry, animal or plant at the time of application willbe controlled.

[0013] Since oil sprays only work by contracting and covering the targetpest, thorough application is essential. Missed surface areas provide asafe refuge for the target pests.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,344 shows a hazard-free method forcontrolling insects using a non-toxic composition in the form of afragrance and crystalline particles which puncture directly through theexoskeleton of an insect. In operation, the particles work themselvesbetween the insect's protective body plates and then puncture theexoskeleton permitting entry of the fragrance into the body of theinsect. Once inside, the particles absorb up to four times their weightof the vital body fluids of the insect and the fragrance has a neuraleffect on the insect.

[0015] Thus, there remains a need for a non-toxic pesticide that can beeffectively applied to the host to control or kill by contacting thetarget pests.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention relates to a non-toxic aqueous pesticideand method for application on plants and animals comprising at least onesurfactant and at least one high terpene containing natural oil toeffectively control insects and parasites including lice, ticks, mites,aphides and chiggers.

[0017] High terpene containing natural oil as used herein means thosenatural oils having a terpene content of at least 50 percent. It ispreferable that the high terpene natural oil contains at least 90percent. Suitable high terpene containing natural oils includes oil fromconifers such as citrus peel oils, preferably orange oil, grapefruitoil, lemon oil or pine oil. Of these, orange oil is the most preferred.Naturally, the amount of high terpene containing natural oils in thenon-toxic aqueous pesticide will depend upon the amount of terpenes inthe specific oil used.

[0018] The surfactant may comprise conventional surfactants such asanionic and nonionic surfactants. Preferred are anionic surfactants suchas salts of fatty acids, alkyl sulphates, alkyl ether sulphonates andalkyl aryl sulphonates.

[0019] The non-toxic aqueous pesticide may also contain variousadditives such as antioxidants, preservatives, pH neutralizers and/orclarifiers.

[0020] Since the non-toxic aqueous pesticide is an aqueous composition,the balance of the non-toxic aqueous pesticide is water.

[0021] In use, the non-toxic aqueous pesticide is diluted and sprayed ormisted on the host of from about 2 percent to about 6 percent solutionbut preferably about 4 percent solution, whether plant or animal, tocontact the surface of the target pests. In some cases, repeatedapplications may be required.

[0022] When so applied, the non-toxic aqueous pesticide is effective incontrolling darkling beetles, lice, ticks, mites, flies, aphides,mosquitoes and chiggers. The mechanism of insect and mite control withspray oils is believed to be by suffocation and/or the dissolving of thewaxy layers of the insect's exoskeleton. There is no requirement for theaddition of toxic chemicals thereby causing an inbalance in the insectand/or parasites delicate body moisture balance. As such, the instantinvention provides a virtually non-toxic alternative to broad spectruminsecticides.

[0023] The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope ofthe invention will be indicated in the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0024] The present invention relates to an environmentally compatiblenontoxic aqueous pesticide comprising at least one surfactant and atleast one high terpene containing natural oil to effectively controltarget insects and parasites including darkling beetles, lice, ticks,mites, flies, aphides, mosquitoes and chiggers found on plants andanimals. The invention also includes the method of application of thenon-toxic aqueous pesticide.

[0025] High terpene containing natural oil as used herein means thosenatural oils having a terpene content of at least 50 percent. It ispreferable that the high terpene natural oil contains at least 90percent. Suitable high terpene containing natural oils includes oil fromconifers such as citrus peel oils, preferably orange oil, grapefruitoil, lemon oil, or pine oil. Of these, orange oil is preferred and coldpressed orange oil the most preferred.

[0026] Naturally, the amount of high terpene containing natural oils inthe non-toxic aqueous pesticide will depend upon the amount of terpenesin the specific oil used. Generally, the non-toxic pesticide compositioncontains from about 1 percent to about 15 percent by weight of highterpene containing natural oil, preferably from about 4 percent to about10 percent by weight and more preferably from about 5 percent to about 7percent by weight.

[0027] While not to be bound by theory, it is believed that the terpenesin the natural oils provide a mechanism for the efficacy of the instantinvention. In particular, the thin film of oil covers the target insector mite and plugs the spiracles or pores through which such pests orparasites breathe. Thus the cause of death may be suffocation. Thenon-toxic aqueous pesticide may also breakdown or dissolve theexoskeleton of the parasites. Large, motile insects and animals thatbreathe by another method are not affected by these oils. Further, sincethe high terpene containing oils are natural oils, the non-toxic aqueouspesticide is environmentally acceptable and has little, if anydeleterious effect on wildlife and non-target insects.

[0028] Surfactants such as anionic and nonionic surfactants areacceptable for use in the non-toxic aqueous pesticide of the presentinvention. Preferred are anionic surfactants such as salts of fattyacids, alkyl sulphates, alkyl ether sulphonates and alkyl arylsulphonates. Examples of preferred surfactants include about 10 percentsulfonic acid, about 6 percent to about 7 percent sodium laurel sulfate,from about 8 percent to about 12 percent alcohol ethoxylate and fromabout 1 percent to about 2 percent olefin sulfonate.

[0029] Generally, the non-toxic aqueous pesticide will contain fromabout 10 percent to about 40 percent by weight of surfactant(s),preferably from about 20 percent to about 35 percent by weight and morepreferably from about 25 percent to about 30 percent by weight.

[0030] The non-toxic aqueous pesticide may also contain variousadditives such as preservatives, pH neutralizers and/or clarifiers orstabilizers.

[0031] Such preservatives may include butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT),p-Hydroxybenzoic acid, fungicide and bactericide.

[0032] The butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) acts as an antioxidant. Theantioxidant range from about 0.008 percent to about 0.02 percent byweight and more preferably about 0.01 percent by weight.

[0033] The fungicide such as Borax (10 mole) is from about 0.1 percentto about 5 percent by weight, preferably from about 0.5 percent to about2.0 percent by weight and more preferably about 1.0 percent by weight.

[0034] The p-Hydroxybenzoic acid is from about 0.4 percent to about 0.8percent by weight and more preferable about 0.6 percent.

[0035] The bactericide is from about 0.3 percent to about 0.5 percent,preferably about 0.4 percent solution.

[0036] Caustic crystals such as sodium hydroxide may be added in anamount from about 1.0 percent to about 1.5 percent by weight toneutralize the composition and more preferably about 1.3 percent byweight.

[0037] An example of a suitable clarifier or stabilizer is urea in anamount from about 0.5 percent to about 1.5 percent by weight and morepreferably about 0.9 percent by weight.

[0038] Since the non-toxic aqueous pesticide is an aqueous composition,the balance of the non-toxic aqueous pesticide is from about 60 percentto about 70 percent of water by weight.

[0039] The preferred non-toxic aqueous pesticide comprises about 6percent cold pressed orange oil, about 6.9 percent sodium laurylsulfate, about 11.6 percent of alcohol ethoxylate, about 1.7 percentsodium olefin sulfonate, about 10.2 percent sulphonic acid, about 0.01percent butylate hydroxytoluene, about 0.58 percent p-Hydroxybenzoicacid, about 0.4 percent bactericide, about 1.0 percent fungicide, about0.9 percent urea and about 1.3 percent sodium hydroxide caustic crystalwith the balance a diluent such as water, all by weight.

[0040] In use, the non-toxic aqueous pesticide is diluted with water andsprayed or misted on the host whether plant or animal to directlycontact the surface of the target pests. An effective dilution rate offrom about 1:10 to about 1:600 by weight. In some cases, repeatedapplications may be required.

[0041] When so applied, the non-toxic aqueous pesticide has beeneffective in controlling darkling beetles, lice, ticks, mites, flies,aphides, mosquitoes and chiggers. Since the mechanism of insect and mitecontrol with spray oils is by suffocation and/or breakdown the waxylayer on the exoskeleton, there is no requirement for the addition oftoxic chemicals. As such, the instant invention provides a virtuallynon-toxic alternative as applied to broad-spectrum insecticides.

[0042] The non-toxic aqueous pesticide is preferably applied as a mistor fog at from about 2 percent to about 6 percent solution, but the mostpreferred solution for application on animals is about 4 percent.

[0043] The method of producing the non-toxic aqueous pesticide on plantsand animals comprising the steps of adding the following constituentsinto a vessel: about 55 percent diluent such as water; about 10.2percent such as sulfonic acid; about 1.32 percent neutralizer such asNaOH (pellets); about 0.86 percent stabilizer such as urea; about 6.87percent surfactant such as sodium laurel sulfate; about 8.59 percentsurfactant such as alcohol ethoxylate and about 1.71 percent surfactantsuch as olefin sulfonate.

[0044] Dissolving 0.01 percent antioxidant such as butylatedhydroxytoluene (BHT) in about 5.78 percent essential oil such as orangeoil and adding combination to the vessel. Adding about 0.58 percentpreservative such as p-Hydroxybenzoic acid. Dissolving about 0.99percent preservative (fungicide) such as fungicide and about 0.40percent preservative (bactericide) in water and adding combination tothe vessel. Adding about 7.50 percent diluent such as water and mix for30 minutes or until solids are dissolved.

[0045] Adjusting the pH from about 7.75 to about 9 by adding aneffective amount of NaOH or Citric Acid granules and finally adjustingthe viscosity by adding about 3 percent alcohol ethoxylate.

[0046] While the invention has been described above with respect tocertain particular embodiments thereof, numerous other forms andmodifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The appendedclaims and the invention generally should be construed as covering allsuch obvious forms and modifications which are within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A non-toxic aqueous pesticide for application onplants and animals comprising at least one surfactant from about 10percent to about 40 percent by weight selected from sodiumdodecylbenzene sulphonate, sodium lauryl sulfate and salts such assodium salts of secondary alkane sulphonates or mixtures thereof, and atleast one high terpene containing natural oil from about 1 percent toabout 15 percent by weight selected from citrus peel oils, orange oil,grapefruit oil, lemon oil, pine oil or mixtures thereof to effectivelycontrol insects and parasites including darkling beetles, lice, ticks,mites, flies, aphides, mosqitoes and chiggers found on plants andanimals.
 2. A non-toxic aqueous pesticide for application on plants andanimals comprising of at least one surfactant selected from sodiumlaurel sulphate, alcohol ethoxylate, olefin sulphonate and sulphonicacid or mixtures thereof and at least one high terpene containingnatural oil selected from citrus peel oils, pine oils or mixturesthereof to effectively control insects and parasites.
 3. The non-toxicaqueous pesticide for application on plants and animals of claim 2containing from about 10 percent to about 40 percent of said surfactantsby weight and from about 1 percent to about 15 percent of said highterpene containing natural oils by weight.
 4. The non-toxic aqueouspesticide for application on plants and animals of claim 3 containingfrom about 0.3 percent to about 0.5 percent bactericide by weight. 5.The non-toxic aqueous pesticide for application on plants and animals ofclaim 2 containing from about 20 percent to about 35 percent of saidsurfactants by weight and from about 4 percent to about 10 percent ofsaid high terpene containing natural oils by weight.
 6. The non-toxicaqueous pesticide for application on plants and animals of claim 5wherein said non-toxic aqueous pesticide is diluted with water at aneffective dilution rate of from about 0.5 percent to about 6 percent byweight.
 7. The non-toxic aqueous pesticide for application on plants andanimals of claim 5 containing about 0.4 percent bactericide by weight.8. The non-toxic aqueous pesticide for application on plants and animalsof claim 2 containing from about 25 percent to about 30 percent of saidsurfactants by weight and from about 5 percent to about 7 percent ofsaid high terpene containing natural oils by weight.
 9. The non-toxicaqueous pesticide for application on plants and animals of claim 8 withthe preferred dilution of about 4 percent with water by weight.
 10. Thenon-toxic aqueous pesticide for application on plants and animals ofclaim 8 with about 0.4 percent bactericide by weight.
 11. The non-toxicaqueous pesticide for application on plants and animals of claim 10further comprising about 0.01 percent butylate hydroxytoluene, about 1percent fungicide, about 0.9 percent urea and about 1.3 percent sodiumhydroxide.
 12. The non-toxic aqueous pesticide for application on plantsand animals of claim 8 comprising about 0.01 percent butylatehydroxytoluene, about 1 percent fungicide, about 0.9 percent urea andabout 1.3 percent sodium hydroxide.
 13. A non-toxic aqueous pesticidefor application on plants and animals comprising about 6 percent orangeoil, about 7 percent sodium laurel sulphate, about 9 percent alcoholethoxylate, about 1.7 percent olefin sulfonate and about 10 percentsulphonic acid with the balance water, all by weight.
 14. The non-toxicaqueous pesticide for application on plants and animals of claim 13further comprising about 0.01 percent butylate hydroxytoluene, about 1percent fungicide, about 0.9 percent urea and about 1.3 percent sodiumhydroxide.
 15. The method of producing a non-toxic aqueous pesticide onplants by weight and animals comprising the steps of adding thefollowing constituents into a vessel: about 55 percent diluent; about10.2 percent surfactant; about 1.32 percent neutralizer; about 0.86percent stabilizer; about 6.87 percent surfactant; about 8.59 percentsurfactant and about 1.71 percent surfactant, dissolving 0.01 percentantioxidant in about 5.78 percent essential oil and adding combinationto the vessel, adding about 0.58 percent preservative, dissolving about0.99 percent preservative and about 0.40 percent preservative in waterand adding combination to the vessel, adding about 7.50 percent diluentand mixing.
 16. The method of producing the non-toxic aqueous pesticideon plants and animals of claim 15 wherein said about 55 percent diluentis water; said about 10.2 percent surfactant is sulfonic acid; saidabout 1.32 percent neutralizer is NaOH; said about 0.86 percentstabilizer is urea; said about 6.87 percent surfactant is sodium laurelsulfate; said about 8.59 percent surfactant is alcohol ethoxylate andsaid about 1.71 percent surfactant is olefin sulfonate, said 0.01percent antioxidant is butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), said about 5.78percent essential oil is orange oil, said about 0.58 percentpreservative is p-Hydroxybenzoic acid, said about 0.99 percentpreservative is a fungicide, said about 0.40 percent preservative is abactericide and said about 7.50 percent diluent is water.
 17. The methodof producing the non-toxic aqueous pesticide on plants and animals ofclaim 15 further comprises adjusting the pH from about 7.75 to about 9.18. The method of producing the non-toxic aqueous pesticide on plantsand animals of claim 17 wherein NaOH is added to adjust the pH.
 19. Themethod of producing the non-toxic aqueous pesticide on plants andanimals of claim 17 wherein the viscosity is adjusted by adding about 3percent of a surfactant.
 20. The method of producing the non-toxicaqueous pesticide on plants and animals of claim 19 wherein said about55 percent diluent is water; said about 10.2 percent surfactant issulfonic acid; said about 1.32 percent neutralizer is NaOH; said about0.86 percent stabilizer is urea; said about 6.87 percent surfactant issodium laurel sulfate; said about 8.59 percent surfactant is alcoholethoxylate and said about 1.71 percent surfactant is olefin sulfonate,dissolving said 0.01 percent antioxidant is butylated hydroxytoluene(BHT) in said about 5.78 percent essential oil is orange oil, said about0.58 percent preservative is p-Hydroxybenzoic acid, said about 0.99percent preservative is a fungicide, said about 0.40 percentpreservative is a bactericide, said about 7.50 percent diluen, said pHadjustant is NaOH and the viscosity is adjusted by adding about 3percent alcohol ethoxylate.
 21. The method of producing the non-toxicaqueous pesticide on plants and animals of claim 15 wherein theviscosity is adjusted by adding about 3 percent alcohol ethoxylate. 22.The method of producing the non-toxic aqueous pesticide on plants andanimals of claim 21 wherein said about 55 percent diluent is water; saidabout 10.2 percent surfactant is sulfonic acid; said about 1.32 percentneutralizer is NaOH; said about 0.86 percent stabilizer is urea; saidabout 6.87 percent surfactant is sodium laurel sulfate; said about 8.59percent surfactant is alcohol ethoxylate and said about 1.71 percentsurfactant is olefin sulfonate, dissolving said 0.01 percent antioxidantis butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in said about 5.78 percent essentialoil is orange oil and adding combination to the vessel, said about 0.58percent preservative is p-Hydroxybenzoic acid, said about 0.99 percentpreservative is a fungicide, said about 0.40 percent preservative is abactericide, said about 7.50 percent diluent is water and the viscosityis adjusted by adding about 3 percent alcohol ethoxylate.
 23. The methodof producing the non-toxic aqueous pesticide on plants and animals ofclaim 21 wherein the pH is adjusted to from about 7.75 to about 9 by aneffective amount of NaOH.